Love on Assignment (30 page)

From the questioning look in his eye, Daniel expected an explanation.

HE PEERED AT Charlotte. Her skin seemed to reflect the gray of the sky. Despite her denial, Arnie Phifer must have upset her. Daniel seldom ventured to assess anyone's feelings, especially a woman's, but her pinched lips and furrowed brow betrayed turmoil. There was no mistaking it. “Did he say something rude to you?”

She shook her head, releasing tendrils of shiny hair from beneath her hat. “No, nothing like that. He was muttering about the awful weather. Really, I scarcely paid attention.”

Perhaps the man enjoyed striking up a conversation with a young, attractive woman, though his scowl excluded any sort of flirtation. Besides, the man was well into middle age and probably married. “If he bothered you, I'll gladly go over and speak to him.” He glared toward Arnie strutting down the sidewalk toward the offices of the
Rhode Island Reporter
. “I believe I'll do just that.” He pulled back on the reins when Charlotte gripped his arm. Her eyes were bright with alarm.

“Thank you for your concern, but that isn't necessary.” Pushing up her veil, Charlotte pinned on a smile as cold as the winter sun.

End of conversation. Yet the brief encounter had looked just like an argument, certainly not a friendly exchange of information. “Strange,” Daniel murmured, “you both appeared to know each other.” He couldn't help himself. The words flew out of his mouth before he had a chance to check them.

Charlotte flashed a warning with her eyes. “Professor, the man was not harassing me.” She enunciated every word in a low, deliberate voice. “Please don't concern yourself.”

He raised his hand, spreading his fingers wide. “I'm sorry. I have no right to question you.” But why did the normally sweet-tempered girl suddenly bristle? There was so much he didn't know about her, yet that only propelled him to delve deeper and learn everything he could—her thoughts, her ideas, all the details of her life.

Charlotte tossed him a faint smile. “No need to apologize, sir.”

But he couldn't control his curiosity. “Why were you outside the café? You said you needed to buy some items—” He hated himself for prying, but questions kept tumbling through his mind. Did she have plans to meet someone at the café and merely used running errands as an excuse? Who did she meet? A beau she'd never mentioned before?

“I decided to get out of the rain and have a quick cup of tea.” She spoke in a breezy tone of voice as she fingered her reticule.

Perhaps the fellow who exited the café with Charlotte and Arnie Phifer was her friend—or even sweetheart. Yet the young man looked exceedingly boyish with his sparse mustache and gangly gait. Surely he was too immature to attract Charlotte. Daniel exhaled sharply. He hated his uncharitable thoughts toward a man he didn't even know. He was reacting like a lover spurned.

“Did you have tea with that young fellow?” Daniel asked casually.

Charlotte hesitated. Then her eyes widened with understanding. “Oh no. He's merely an acquaintance, not a close friend.”

“I'm sorry. It's none of my business.”

Charlotte raised a wry smile. “If you were wondering if I have a beau, the answer is no. I've had a few, but no one who actually suited. A few years ago a fireman proposed, but when he realized I wouldn't desert my aunt and sister, he reneged on the engagement.”

“I'm sorry. That must have been quite a blow.”

“To my pride, yes. But we weren't meant for each other. It worked out for the best.”

Daniel's spirits rose higher than the highest cloud. Apparently he still had a chance at winning her affection. Well, possibly.

EIGHTEEN

T
he next morning the ring of the doorbell pierced the quiet. Mr. Grimes pulled open the front door of Summerhill and gaped as Edith Ann Wengle whirled past him into the foyer. Charlotte's stack of children's books clattered to the floor just as Daniel emerged from his office. The young woman flew directly at Charlotte with arms outstretched and sorrow etched in every feature and freckle. With a lunge forward, Edith Ann squeezed her in a tight embrace, punching the air out of Charlotte's lungs. She struggled for breath, then mustered her strength and shoved Edith Ann away. But the wretched woman clung like a wet bathing costume.

Charlotte glanced at Daniel, who stood at his office door, his eyes wide with interest.

“What are you doing here?” she mumbled. With one final push, she freed herself from Edith Ann's grip.

Her hand thumped her chest as she dragged out a theatrical sigh. “I'm afraid I have sad news. Devastating news.”

Oh no, not Aunt Amelia or Becky!
As Edith Ann turned toward Daniel, Charlotte spotted a gleam in her eye. Mr. Phifer's typist thrust out her hand and grabbed for Daniel's, snapping it with a fierce shake.

“I'm Penelope Smith, Charlotte's first cousin, twice removed.

You must be her employer. I'm very pleased to meet you, even under such heart-wrenching circumstances.” She pumped Daniel's hand. “Good to meet you, sir. My cousin has told me all about you.”

“What are you talking about?” Charlotte planted her hands on her hips, irritated by the farce.

Edith Ann's face pulled down with contrived grief. “I'm so sorry, dear Charlotte, but I received a frantic message from your Uncle Wilbur this morning.”

“Who?” Charlotte shook her head. She didn't have any relatives by that name.

“Your Uncle Wilbur from Portsmouth. He sent word to your Aunt Amelia who pleaded with me to come straight over and deliver the sad news.” Her voice broke. “I do so hate to tell.” Edith Ann sniffled and then blew her nose with a handkerchief from her reticule. Charlotte stared at her narrow, hawkish face. What was she jabbering about?

The bearer of bad news lowered her voice. “It seems your sweet Aunt Louise passed away last night of heart failure. She went to her reward in a matter of seconds without any pain. Thank the good Lord she didn't suffer.” She raised her eyes toward the ceiling. “Your uncle says the funeral will take place in two days. He really needs you out in Portsmouth tomorrow to help serve the guests and feed the chickens.”

Daniel wrapped his arm around Charlotte's shoulder. “I'm so sorry for your loss. Is there anything I can do?” He quickly stepped away, apparently afraid his gesture might seem too intimate, especially in front of a stranger.

“No, thank you,” Charlotte murmured as she glared at Arnie Phifer's messenger. Two could act out this charade. With hands covering her face, Charlotte sniffed, as if crying. “Poor Aunt Louise. I didn't know she was ill. I do appreciate you coming here to tell me about her passing, Penelope. I'll call on Uncle Wilbur next week and offer my condolences, but I couldn't possibly get away right now.”

Charlotte grabbed Edith Ann by the arm to steer her out the door, but the stubborn woman wouldn't budge.

“Your Uncle Wilbur needs you,” Edith Ann insisted. “He wants you to come to him in his hour of need.”

“Well, I'm so dreadfully sorry, but the Wilmonts need me too. Uncle Wilbur has dozens of relations who can take care of him, so I'm sure he can do without me.”

Edith Ann's face scrunched with determination. “But he said he needed
you
. And besides, you're his favorite niece.”

“You misunderstood. He hardly knows me. Besides, Uncle Wilbur has ten children who live close by the farm. They'll help him get through this.”

Daniel looked surprised. “With ten children, he'd certainly appreciate your help.”

“Ten
grown
children, all over the age of twenty-five.”
Dear Lord, please forgive me for this falsehood. I can't tell him the truth in front of Edith Ann
.

Daniel gently patted Charlotte's shoulder. “Take a few days off anyway. We can get along if we have to. Being with your family is more important.”

Charlotte groaned inwardly.

Edith Ann raised her hands as if to stop the conversation. “There's no need of that. It just so happens I'm available this week and I'd be glad to assist you, Professor Wilmont. Now don't refuse, Charlotte, it wouldn't be an imposition. I'd really be happy to help out my dearest cousin.”

Charlotte's jaw nearly dropped open. This was Mr. Phifer's devious way of replacing her. “Thank you for your kindness, both of you.” She glanced toward Daniel. “Before I decide, I'd like to speak to my Aunt Amelia.”

“By all means,” Daniel agreed in a sympathetic tone.

Heading for the door, she glanced back at Edith Ann. “Please come with me, cousin.”

Without waiting for a response, Charlotte strutted out to the veranda and across the lawn to Edith Ann's hired carriage. The woman's boots ground against the pebbled drive as she fell behind Charlotte's fast pace.

Once alone, Charlotte's let her anger boil over. “
Penelope
, I know what you and Mr. Phifer are trying to do and it won't work.”

All pretense gone, Edith Ann shrugged. “He wants you back in the office tomorrow morning since you can't come up with anything against Professor Wilmont. He knows I can do a better job. And I shall.” She stood against the carriage door, back straight and head held high. A smirk played on her lips.

Immediately, Charlotte lifted her chin. “What are you going to do that I haven't already done?” As soon as Charlotte asked the question, she knew the answer. “Mr. Phifer is planning something underhanded, isn't he?”

Edith Ann flinched for only half a second. “Not unless it's necessary.”

“You'd plant evidence. I know you would.” Charlotte held her breath, waiting for confirmation.

Edith Ann rolled her eyes. “Don't be such a moralist. It's so unbecoming.”

“I'm ashamed my standards have already sunk so low, but I won't allow them to drop any farther.” Charlotte waved back at the house. “Since you aren't needed here, I want you to leave Summerhill at once.”

Edith Ann gave a disdainful shake of her head as she turned. Glancing over her shoulder, she said, “You're making a big mistake by tossing me out. Mr. Phifer won't like that one little bit. Without a reference, you'll never work in journalism.”

An unexpected feeling of self-assurance erased Charlotte's apprehension. Something blossomed inside, something solid and strong. Confidence, courage, a willingness to do the right thing and pay whatever it cost—including losing her job and risking her family's finances. Charlotte suddenly understood the meaning of truth and honor. And faith. These feelings didn't come from within herself. They came from God.

“It's a price worth paying.”

Edith Ann stared at her as if she'd taken leave of her senses. Shaking her head, Edith Ann climbed into the cab. Charlotte watched the carriage disappear down the driveway in a cloud of dust. Weak-kneed, Charlotte returned to the veranda and collapsed onto a wicker chair, her bravado spent.

Mr. Phifer planned to fire her as soon as she walked into the office tomorrow. No doubt he wanted the pleasure of sacking her in person. Not that it really mattered because, in good conscience, she couldn't continue to work at the
Rhode Island Reporter
. Quitting was an enormous step that she couldn't avoid. Well, so be it.

She'd rely on her governess salary until she found some other position. With her career in shambles and no reference from Mr. Phifer, she'd have to explore something other than journalism. Apprehension crawled up her spine.

As much as she regretted the necessity of starting over, a spark of satisfaction from making the right decision fueled her confidence.
Lord, courage comes from You. Please don't let me falter
. It still felt strange to turn to God, but surprisingly, not difficult. The warmth of His presence surrounded her like a ray of sunshine on a clear summer day.
Lord, thank You for coming into my life at the very time I need you the most. I'm sorry I didn't look to You before I deceived the professor. I know now You would've guided me down the right path. I'd have resisted Mr. Phifer's offer and avoided the mess I'm in now. Please forgive me, Father
.

The future would take care of itself, with God's help. She had a powerful feeling she was in loving hands. Charlotte returned to the house and found Daniel gathering his books for his ten o'clock class. Concern deepened the fine web of lines edging his eyes.

Tell him the truth
. But he was rushing off to work. Confession would have to wait awhile longer.

He took his bowler from the hat rack and then paused. “Charlotte, please take the rest of the day off and speak to your aunt. If your uncle needs your help, you ought to go to him.”

“Thank you, sir. I believe I should speak to Aunt Amelia, but I'm quite certain Uncle Wilbur doesn't require my assistance.”

Daniel nodded. “Feel free to use the gig.”